Wrist arthropathy in calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition disease.

Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition disease is associated with chondrocalcinosis and a characteristic radiographic abnormality. In the wrist this abnormality consists of radiocarpal joint narrowing, sclerosis, and subchondral cystic degeneration of the carpal bones. These changes sometimes occur in the absence of chondrocalcinosis. Two investigate the significance of this occurrence, 18 patients with the radiographic abnormality of radiocarpal joint narrowing, sclerosis, and subchondral cystic degeneration were examined. Six had neither local wrist nor distant chondrocalcinosis. Five of the latter had wrist arthrocentesis and 4 had calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals. Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition disease can occur in the absence of chondrocalcinosis and the diagnosis is strongly suggested by a characteristic radiographic picture.